Rondo's first battle
The Cleveland Cavaliers' All-Star is over, and everyone is talking about whether LeBron James will return to his hometown and lead this team back to the championship trophy. For this matter, James gave an answer, that is, no matter which team chooses his son Brownie, he will go to which team. But even without LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers are competitive, as evidenced by the fourth place in the East. In this game, the Cavaliers have to challenge the Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons are in second-to-last place in the East, and they are a team that has decided to rebuild, but the team is very talented. Corningham is cashing in on his talent, and Grant and Sadiq Bay also have good qualities, a team that has a poor record, but the strength should not be underestimated. Garland and LeVert were sidelined due to injury, and Rondo came to the starting position for the game.
Knights really give a chance
The veteran Rondo, who started the game, showed his strength in the first quarter, although he only got 2 points from 1 shot, but sent 4 assists, under his tandem, the Cavaliers blossomed more, and after Osman on the bench came up, he hit 2 consecutive three-pointers, and got 9 points and 1 rebound in a single quarter, helping the team to lead the Pistons by 33-27 at the end of the first quarter by 6 points. After returning from the second quarter, the Cavaliers began to feel less, and Rondo only had 2 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists, and the team only scored 22 points.
The Pistons seized the opportunity and Bagley on the bench with 8 points and 2 rebounds on 4-of-5 shooting, helping the team narrow the gap to three points at the end of the half. In the face of the Pistons' tight pursuit, Rondo stepped forward again in the third quarter, shooting 3 of 5, 4 of 3 from three points, taking 8 points and 3 assists in the single quarter, Allen showed dominance under the basket, 3 shots and 3 also had 6 points, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks, under the leadership of Rondo and Allen, the Cavaliers successfully withstood the pressure, and at the end of the third quarter, they still maintained a 2-point lead.
In the final quarter of the game, the Cavaliers fell into a scoring drought, playing more than six minutes and scoring only four points, and the Pistons managed to take an 11-point lead. Markkanen scored seven straight points to keep the suspense in mind and also let the Pistons call out a timeout. After the timeout returned, Bagley responded with three points, Goodwin scored four straight points, and Mobley made two free throws, returning to a three-point difference. Mobley staged a key block, and O'Corro hit a three-pointer to tie the score. Markkanen hit two free throws and Corningham hit four consecutive free throws to help the Pistons regain a three-point lead with just 28.1 seconds left.
Markkanen missed three-pointers, Mobley still didn't have three points, Goodwin still didn't score three points, two consecutive frontcourt rebounds, and finally failed to save the Cavaliers. In the end, the Detroit Pistons narrowly defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at home 106-103, successfully giving their opponents three consecutive defeats.
The eye of the champion is powerful
Without Garland and LeVert, the Cavaliers could only let Rondo start the game, but Rondo still handed over 12 points, 2 rebounds and 9 assists, which was amazing. Markkanen's first game of return also had 22 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist, Allen had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, Mobley 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks, O'Koro 11 points and 5 rebounds, and Goodwin on the bench also had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, but Luck did not feel good, only 4 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist on 1 of 5 shooting.
The Pistons side is more blossoming, and Corningham has 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, and made consecutive free throws in the last minute, which has become the key to the team's victory. Bagley also had 16 points and 4 rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting, and the strength of the leader's eye is still not to be underestimated. But the most commendable is Diallo, who has 21 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals on 7-of-11 shooting, you know, he is only a second-round show. And, of course, there's McGrud, who was almost traded out, shooting 4-of-4 from three-point range and also having 12 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist.